SIC codes explained simply
If the economy were a giant library, a SIC code would be the call number on your company's spine. It is a standard label for what a business does, which lets governments and analysts compare like with like and keep statistics tidy.
What SIC actually is
SIC stands for Standard Industrial Classification. It groups businesses by activity so data can be collected and compared consistently. The UK uses UK SIC 2007, a five digit classification used for economic statistics. The United States uses a four digit SIC system that still appears in SEC filings and EDGAR search tools.
Where you pick one in the UK
When you incorporate or update a UK company, you choose your description from the Companies House condensed list. Companies House tells filers to use that condensed list, and Inform Direct explains the same requirement in plain language.
Your chosen code appears on the public record, so suppliers, customers, and analysts can find you in context.
You can select more than one code if you need to reflect multiple activities, up to a maximum of four codes for a single company record.
How the list is structured
UK SIC is hierarchical. At the top are broad sections A to U, then divisions, groups, and classes that narrow to very specific activities. That structure lets you move from big buckets to precise descriptions without guesswork.
Oddball examples that really exist
These come from the UK condensed list unless noted:
- 01440 Raising of camels and camelids
- 01700 Hunting, trapping and related service activities
- 08930 Extraction of salt
- 32110 Striking of coins
- 32910 Manufacture of brooms and brushes
- 46341 Wholesale of fruit and vegetable juices, mineral water and soft drinks
- 77351 Renting and leasing of passenger air transport equipment
- 91040 Botanical and zoological gardens and nature reserves activities
- 99999 Dormant company
Fun U.S. examples taken from the SEC's SIC list:
- 2086 Bottled and canned soft drinks and carbonated waters
- 2771 Greeting cards
- 2780 Blankbooks, looseleaf binders and bookbinding and related work
Why this matters in practice
A common classification keeps data interoperable. Agencies can produce coherent statistics, and registrars and markets can align filings so search and comparison are reliable. The ONS describes UK SIC 2007 as the framework for collecting and presenting statistics by economic activity, and the standardisation helps maintain consistency across contexts.
Quick tips for choosing well
- Start with the Companies House condensed list, then pick the description that best matches your main activity.
- If you are dormant or non-trading, include the correct SIC entry so the public record is clear — 99999 exists for that purpose.
- Review your code when your main activity changes, for example after a pivot or a new product line, so your filings remain accurate.
A human sized summary
SIC codes are small numbers with big utility. The UK uses UK SIC 2007 as a five digit statistical framework, and you choose from the Companies House condensed list. The U.S. uses a four digit SIC and the SEC still tags filings with it, which keeps searches and reviews organised.